Published: Wed, Jul. 30, 2008 12:30AM

Modified Thu, Jul. 31, 2008 07:19AM

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At the least, Hoke said, Alamance officials are probably discouraging people from using health services. Hoke said federal and state regulations guarantee health services regardless of immigration status.

And he said that immunizations, prenatal care and treatment for contagious diseases are important to all.

"Even if they're not excluding folks, you can set a tone where you scare people off," Hoke said.

Alamance backlash

Alamance County commissioners recently passed a resolution that the health department offer only emergency services to illegal immigrants. The resolution is largely symbolic: State and federal laws override it.

County Commissioner Bill Lashley, who proposed the resolution and is a member of the health board, said he hopes to drive out illegal immigrants by denying them health care. He said he wants all patients to prove legal status, a measure Hoke said would be illegal.

"If they can't prove they're here legal," Lashley said, "ship 'em back to Mexico."

Lashley was among the county leaders who requested an investigation of the health department.

Keith Whited, a Burlington lawyer and health board chairman, said county employees should not help illegal immigrants use false identities. However, he said he has no concerns about the health department serving illegal immigrants.

"Getting care is not a crime," Whited said. "But they were assisting them to commit a fraud on their employers."

Since Martinez's arrest, immigration officials have begun deportation proceedings for Martinez's husband, her parents and her sister, said her lawyer, David Smith of Greensboro. Her son, who is nearly 2, is a U.S. citizen.

Smith said he didn't know why the family was targeted. Federal officials typically go after criminals or workers in large plants.

None of Martinez's family members has been accused of crimes unrelated to immigration, and many who know the family say they were law-abiding community members. Martinez's sister worked for a law firm.

"It's unusual to see situations go to this extreme," Smith said.

A group of supporters, including Tyler, the retired librarian, has been driving to Winston-Salem for Martinez's federal court appearances, watching silently as she is brought into court in shackles.

Jessica Henriquez-Fuentes, a friend of Martinez's and a lifelong Alamance resident, said many wonder whether the sheriff plans to target other immigrants.

"Do they randomly pick somebody with a Hispanic last name and just try to figure out what the deal is?" Henriquez-Fuentes said.

Jones said the sheriff will continue to report crimes when he gets tips.